Out of the Past Antiques in Smithville packs in rare treats at every turn. Glass cases hold old locks, whistles, handcuffs and holsters, and one whole room within the store is set up like a kitchen, overflowing with Fire King glass containers, vintage utensils, tin cookie cutters and even old washboards. less

Out of the Past Antiques in Smithville packs in rare treats at every turn. Glass cases hold old locks, whistles, handcuffs and holsters, and one whole room within the store is set up like a kitchen, overflowing ... more

Photo: Jody Schmal

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Heaven for those unafraid to rummage, cheerful Reachable Stars Resale shop in Smithville has a nice selection of hats, modestly priced cowboy boots and leather jackets. Other finds rest along the aisles of shelves packed with books and kitchenware, including Pyrex dishes, appliances, mason jars and one-off collectibles. less

Heaven for those unafraid to rummage, cheerful Reachable Stars Resale shop in Smithville has a nice selection of hats, modestly priced cowboy boots and leather jackets. Other finds rest along the aisles of ... more

The Carriage Stop in Smithville has a slightly feminine feel, greeting all who enter with an overflowing display of cloth flowers and the scent of vanilla.

The Carriage Stop in Smithville has a slightly feminine feel, greeting all who enter with an overflowing display of cloth flowers and the scent of vanilla.

Photo: Jody Schmal

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Old World Bakery & Cafe recently reopened in an airy new location on Main Street in Smithville, dishing out fresh-baked bread, pastries, deli sandwiches and salads.

Old World Bakery & Cafe recently reopened in an airy new location on Main Street in Smithville, dishing out fresh-baked bread, pastries, deli sandwiches and salads.

Photo: Jody Schmal

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The Carriage Stop in Smithville has a slightly feminine feel, greeting all who enter with an overflowing display of cloth flowers and the scent of vanilla. The gauzy, ethereal vibe continues in small vignettes touting new women s clothing and accessories by Lexa s Closet, along with tutus and bows for little girls. less

The Carriage Stop in Smithville has a slightly feminine feel, greeting all who enter with an overflowing display of cloth flowers and the scent of vanilla. The gauzy, ethereal vibe continues in small vignettes ... more

Photo: Jody Schmal

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Mosaic Art and Home in Smithville sells exactly what its name implies: colorful furniture and artwork. Anticipate goods by area artisans, including handmade pottery, one-of-a-kind carved wood storage cabinets and lovely, Hill Country-savvy landscape paintings. less

Mosaic Art and Home in Smithville sells exactly what its name implies: colorful furniture and artwork. Anticipate goods by area artisans, including handmade pottery, one-of-a-kind carved wood storage cabinets ... more

Photo: Jody Schmal

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Heaven for those unafraid to rummage, cheerful Reachable Stars Resale shop in Smithville has a nice selection of hats, modestly priced cowboy boots and leather jackets. Other finds rest along the aisles of shelves packed with books and kitchenware, including Pyrex dishes, appliances, mason jars and one-off collectibles. less

Heaven for those unafraid to rummage, cheerful Reachable Stars Resale shop in Smithville has a nice selection of hats, modestly priced cowboy boots and leather jackets. Other finds rest along the aisles of ... more

Photo: Jody Schmal

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Huebel's, a popular neon-lit watering hole in Smithville, was used in the movies "Hope Floats" and "Doonby."

Huebel's, a popular neon-lit watering hole in Smithville, was used in the movies "Hope Floats" and "Doonby."

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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Huebel's Bier Garden used in the movies Hope Floats and Doonby is seen Tuesday, June 14, 2011, in Smithville. ( Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle )

Huebel's Bier Garden used in the movies Hope Floats and Doonby is seen Tuesday, June 14, 2011, in Smithville. ( Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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Mosaic Art and Home in Smithville sells exactly what its name implies: colorful furniture and artwork. Anticipate goods by area artisans, including handmade pottery, one-of-a-kind carved wood storage cabinets and lovely, Hill Country-savvy landscape paintings. less

Mosaic Art and Home in Smithville sells exactly what its name implies: colorful furniture and artwork. Anticipate goods by area artisans, including handmade pottery, one-of-a-kind carved wood storage cabinets ... more

Photo: Jody Schmal

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Mosaic Art and Home in Smithville sells exactly what its name implies: colorful furniture and artwork. Anticipate goods by area artisans, including handmade pottery, one-of-a-kind carved wood storage cabinets and lovely, Hill Country-savvy landscape paintings. less

Mosaic Art and Home in Smithville sells exactly what its name implies: colorful furniture and artwork. Anticipate goods by area artisans, including handmade pottery, one-of-a-kind carved wood storage cabinets ... more

Photo: Jody Schmal

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The Carriage Stop in Smithville has a slightly feminine feel, greeting all who enter with an overflowing display of cloth flowers and the scent of vanilla. The gauzy, ethereal vibe continues in small vignettes touting new women s clothing and accessories by Lexa s Closet, along with tutus and bows for little girls. less

The Carriage Stop in Smithville has a slightly feminine feel, greeting all who enter with an overflowing display of cloth flowers and the scent of vanilla. The gauzy, ethereal vibe continues in small vignettes ... more

Out of the Past Antiques in Smithville packs in rare treats at every turn. Glass cases hold old locks, whistles, handcuffs and holsters, and one whole room within the store is set up like a kitchen, overflowing with Fire King glass containers, vintage utensils, tin cookie cutters and even old washboards. less

Out of the Past Antiques in Smithville packs in rare treats at every turn. Glass cases hold old locks, whistles, handcuffs and holsters, and one whole room within the store is set up like a kitchen, overflowing ... more

Photo: Jody Schmal

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Historic Main Street, Smithville, Texas

Historic Main Street, Smithville, Texas

Photo: Melissa Aguilar

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Main St. Village Antiques in Smithville sells wood furniture and eclectic treasures such as a brass-spigot punch dispenser and realistic-looking furry chick figurines on shabby-chic shelves.

Main St. Village Antiques in Smithville sells wood furniture and eclectic treasures such as a brass-spigot punch dispenser and realistic-looking furry chick figurines on shabby-chic shelves.

Photo: Jody Schmal

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Main St. Village Antiques in Smithville sells wood furniture and a variety of eclectic treasures.

Main St. Village Antiques in Smithville sells wood furniture and a variety of eclectic treasures.

Photo: Jody Schmal

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The house used in the movie Tree of Life is seen Tuesday, June 14, 2011, in Smithville. ( Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle )

The house used in the movie Tree of Life is seen Tuesday, June 14, 2011, in Smithville. ( Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

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Downtown Smithville's historic Main Street.

Downtown Smithville's historic Main Street.

Photo: Jody Schmal

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Smithville: Throwback charm, goodies galore

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Historic Smithville is arguably best known as the setting for movies such as "Hope Floats" and "Tree of Life," and more recently, a not-yet-released thriller called "Doonby," starring John Schneider, of "Dukes of Hazzard" fame, and Ernie Hudson.

It's also a great place to while away several hours en route to or from Austin - or simply for an easygoing overnight respite, less than two hours from Houston. Despite a population of less than 4,000, there's still plenty to do.

Shopping and antiquing is an especially strong draw. Just park along Main Street (a few miles from Texas 71) and make your way around on foot.

Start exploring at Main St. Village Antiques (219 Main, 512-237-2323), where wood furniture mingles with eclectic treasures, such as a brass-spigot punch dispenser and realistic-looking furry chick figurines perched on shabby-chic shelves. Next door, The Pickett Fence (217 Main, 512-237-3130) has a nice array of votives by Tyler Candle Co. and Canus goat's milk soap, along with man-cave-ready signs and country trinkets.

Texana and unique vintage items reign at Dream Train Antiques (209 Main, 512-360-3866). On a recent visit, inventory from a variety of dealers included a sweet leather saddle, a perfectly rusty grain scale, Cuban cigar boxes, mounted taxidermy and coveted editions of old magazines - Time, Life and even an early '90s copy of Texas Monthly, whose cover bears a white-leather-clad Ann Richards straddling a motorcycle and the splashy headline "White Hot Mama."

You might even encounter Dream Train's friendly owner Sandy Hightower, whose shop has provided props for many of the movies filmed in Smithville. She's happy to chat about rubbing shoulders with movie stars like Brad Pitt and Sissy Spacek, though she'll tell you that when the stars come to town, locals don't bother them and definitely don't talk to tabloids. (No doubt one of the reasons Pitt said he'd be back to Smithville.) Hightower also owns a six-acre vacation rental "treehouse" near the Colorado River only three miles away from her store (touringtexas.com/treehouse).

Across the street, Mosaic Art & Home (218 Main, 512-360-2531) spotlights exactly what its name implies: colorful furniture and artwork. Anticipate goods by area artisans, including handmade pottery, one-of-a-kind carved-wood storage cabinets and lovely, Hill Country-savvy landscape paintings. The Carriage Stop (214 Main, 512-237-2424) has a decidedly more feminine feel, greeting those who enter with an overflowing display of cloth flowers and whiffs of vanilla. The gauzy, ethereal vibe continues in small vignettes touting new women's clothing and accessories by Lexa's Closet, along with tutus and bows for little girls. The store continues with probably about a dozen vendors selling everything from large aluminum letters to a kitschy, formica-esque kitchen table.

Out of the Past Antiques (204 Main, 512-237-5090) isn't as large, but it packs in rare treats at every turn. Glass cases hold old locks, whistles, handcuffs and holsters. One room within the store is set up like a kitchen, overflowing with Fire King glass containers, vintage utensils, tin cookie cutters and even old washboards - and watch for cheap and cheerful curiosities in bowls by the checkout counter.

Off Main, The Pearl Peacock (108 N.W. 2nd, 512-237-4722) sells antiques such as a mirrored chest and mahogany chairs just waiting to be reupholstered.

And be sure to follow the painted purple signs toward Reachable Stars Resale around the corner (203 Olive, 512-237-1054). Heaven for those unafraid to rummage, the cheerful shop has a nice selection of hats, modestly priced cowboy boots (think $40 for a pair of pristine black ropers) and leather jackets. But the real finds rest along the aisles of shelves packed with books and kitchenware, including Pyrex dishes, appliances, mason jars and one-off collectibles. Make a pass outside for old tools, or (if you're lucky) a long, steel card catalog box for a meager $8.

If shopping works up an appetite, locals might point you in the direction of Pocket's Grille (205 Fawcett, 713-512-237-5572), which serves up burgers and sandwiches and has a leafy front patio with plenty of seating. Or they will recommend that you arrive before noon on Saturdays to Zimmerhanzel's Bar-B-Que (307 Royston, 512-237-4244) because the best meat (sausage and ribs) usually runs out by then. Old World Bakery & Cafe (112 Main, 512-237-2280) recently reopened in an airy new location on Main, too, dishing out fresh-baked bread, pastries, deli sandwiches and salads.

Wind down by having a beer at Huebel's (207 N.W. 2nd, 512-237-2221). Deliciously dark and divey - be warned, patrons smoke indoors - you may encounter a nightly poker or pool tournament in progress at the neon-lit watering hole, and chat up locals washing down cheap bottles of domestic beer at the horseshoe-shaped bar. You may even feel like you're in a scene from a movie.